A novel three-dimensional SCR motion simulator for modelling the catenary riser–seabed interaction in a centrifuge

Steel catenary risers (SCRs) provide a cost-effective solution for deepwater oil and gas production. However, SCRs are susceptible to potential fatigue failure due to the cyclic motions of floating platforms. Previous studies on the physical modelling of cyclic SCR–seabed interactions have primarily focused on either the continuous cyclic motion of an SCR or a single rest period between two SCR motion packets. However, our understanding of the development of seabed trenches and excess pore pressure and their effects on SCR fatigue during multiple episodes of SCR motion and soil reconsolidation remains limited. This study presents a newly developed model container capable of modelling three-dimensional (3D) SCR motions including heave, surge, sway, and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) in a geotechnical centrifuge. A centrifuge test is conducted to investigate the vertical cyclic SCR–seabed interaction, considering five vertical cyclic motion packets with intervening periods of reconsolidation. The results indicate that ignoring the effects of reconsolidation leads to an overestimation of the fatigue life of an SCR. In this test, the SCR fatigue life is reduced by 18%–23% after five episodic SCR motion packets and intervening reconsolidation.